Fulai Tavern and Kylin Pavilion were both restaurants opened by Wen Lingyi.
From street vendors and porters to high-ranking officials and nobles, both establishments could meet the needs of their customers.
Those who wanted to catch a glimpse of the "Heavenly Immortal Descended, Miss Chen the Second" had to visit the restaurants, causing business to skyrocket. The managers were grinning from ear to ear.
During this time, the people sent to investigate reported back: The Young General went directly into the palace to see the Emperor, and it was unknown when he would leave.
Wen Lingyi waited until dusk, but there was still no news, so she decided to discuss it the next day.
The carriage took a long route, and everywhere she went, she heard stories of the "Heavenly Immortal Descended." Wen Lingyi was extremely satisfied.
Just as they were about to arrive at the Marquisate, the carriage driver suddenly stopped: "Young mistress, the road is blocked. Should we take a detour?"
Qingwu lifted the curtain and looked out. Immediately, someone stepped forward and bowed politely: "My apologies, miss. My master has just moved in, and there are quite a few belongings. I’ll have them move faster."
Just moved in?
As far as Wen Lingyi knew, only the neighboring house near Dingyuan Marquisate was vacant…
She had an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
Lifting the curtain for a closer look, she saw many decorative items typically used by women, as well as a dressing table inlaid with gold and jade. It seemed there was a mistress of the house.
Wen Lingyi felt slightly relieved and took a detour back to the Marquisate through the side gate.
Night mist drifted over the vermilion-painted corridors, startling the bronze bells at the eaves into a clear chime.
Wen Lingyi had changed into a moon-white sleeping gown and was just removing her camellia jade hairpin to comb her hair in front of the bronze mirror when she heard the sound of the bells.
"Qing…" Hmm.
With the faint rustle of fabric, the candle flame on the table flickered. Without turning around, Wen Lingyi caught the faint, slightly astringent scent of pine needles and light sweat unique to a young man.
It was his vibrant, youthful energy, so alive it felt palpable just by smelling it.
"Young mistress, were you looking for me?" His voice was hushed but still tinged with excitement.
Carrying the hoarseness of a long journey, his breath brushed past her ear.
Wen Lingyi sighed inwardly: Should I change Qingwu’s name? It’s never fully called out…
Her ears grew warm, and her hand holding the comb paused. Slowly, she turned around.
He was standing very close, so close that Wen Lingyi’s nose almost touched the collar of his robe.
The flickering candlelight illuminated the Young General’s sharply defined face. His brow still carried the fierceness of battlefield combat, but his eyes were filled with an unyielding softness: "Have you… made up your mind?"
Wei Zheng’s excitement was beyond words.
He didn’t want to keep sneaking into the young mistress’s bedchamber at night, but he couldn’t help it—he simply couldn’t resist.
The thought that he might finally have a proper status made him rush over in exhilaration.
"Sit down first," Wen Lingyi said, pointing to a nearby stool.
She thought it must be because he was too tall, making her feel a bit flustered.
It was just a sense of pressure—definitely not her heart fluttering at the sight of him… Definitely not!
Wei Zheng’s palms were sweaty, and he grinned foolishly: The young mistress didn’t chase him away, heehee! He saw her just yesterday, and now again today, heehee!! He was going to have a proper status, heehee!!!
Wen Lingyi facepalmed.
In her memory, he was cold, stern, and never showed his emotions. How had he turned into such a grinning fool now?
"Are you aware that the capital has been spreading rumors about how you are the bravest of the brave, invincible in battle, and that Da Zhou would perish without you?"
Wen Lingyi got back to the point, but Wei Zheng’s smile froze.
Not happy.
So it wasn’t about giving him a status.
"Mhm," Wei Zheng said, aggrieved. "Isn’t it just that old scoundrel Jiang Zhen who can’t stand me winning battles? He’s jealous, he’s petty! Hmph, when I see the Emperor, I’ll definitely file a serious complaint against him!"
Wen Lingyi's eyes lit up: "You already knew as soon as you returned to the capital?" It seemed he even had a countermeasure.
What kind of talk was that! Wei Zheng felt the young mistress was underestimating him.
But being underestimated was good—it meant the young mistress would care about him even more.
Wei Zheng blinked his eyes, looking utterly innocent: "The people my cheap father left behind sent me word on the road, but they're useless. What good is just sending a message? They still let that old scoundrel slander me."
"It's only the young mistress who truly cares about me. With your move today, no one can flatter me to death anymore."
As he spoke, he pulled his small stool closer. His large eyes were moist, reflecting her figure in the candlelight.
"Playing dumb and acting cute." Wen Lingyi resisted the urge to poke his cheek and put on a serious face: "Sit properly and tell me in detail how you plan to impeach him. This matter must be handled with caution. The Old Emperor is deeply suspicious. If we make a misstep, even the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion won't escape."
Wei Zheng actually wanted to press further about the matter of "status."
But, although he was delighted to see the young mistress concerned about him, he couldn't bear to make her worry.
Wei Zheng began to undo his robe.
Wen Lingyi sprang to her feet, quickly turning around: "Stop fooling around! You… I haven't made up my mind yet…"
"Made up your mind about what?" Wei Zheng leaned in, his smile looking somewhat sly and somewhat punchable.
Just as her willow-leaf eyebrows arched in anger, about to erupt, he immediately handed her a document.
Wen Lingyi took it, growing more and more shocked as she read.
"Jiang Zhen actually dared to collude with the enemy and betray the country?!"
"Not only that." Speaking of this, Wei Zheng became unusually serious: "I suspect the deaths of my cheap father and cheap brothers are also related to him."
For his own selfish gain, sacrificing the people and the soldiers, not even sparing the steadfast Zhenguo Duke's Mansion! Jiang Zhen was unworthy of being human, let alone deserving of the support and admiration of the people of Da Zhou.
Wen Lingyi was too shocked to speak.
Jiang Zhen had no family background but had climbed his way up to become a Cavalry General. Although his sister, Consort Jiang, acted recklessly, even her marriage had been manipulated behind the scenes. Yet, she had always admired this General. Who would have thought…
Even more terrifying was that Jiang Zhen supported the Seventh Prince and had already formed his own faction. If they gained power, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Wen Lingyi looked grave: "We must catch them off guard, leaving them no room to maneuver."
Wei Zheng nodded: "I originally intended to present this to The Old Emperor today, but with just the two of us and no military officials left in the court, I fear that although he would be furious, he might suppress it."
Wen Lingyi fell silent.
Her fair little face was tense, her brows tightly furrowed, and her lips occasionally bitten lightly.
This was her expression when her mind was racing, completely unconscious.
But beside her stood a hungry wolf, constantly wanting to drag her back to its den.
He looked as if his eyes had turned green, his Adam's apple bobbing incessantly.
A fire surged in his chest, rushing straight down to his lower abdomen…
It was over.
Wei Zheng felt he had become filthy, so disrespectful to the young mistress!
"I've got it!" Wen Lingyi's thoughts raced, and she immediately came up with a countermeasure.
The evidence of guilt Wei Zheng brought was excellent and perfect. If used properly, even if the Jiang clan wasn't wiped out, they would surely be stripped of their titles and power!
But just as she regained her composure, she saw Wei Zheng slap himself.
Wen Lingyi: "?"
His face was flushed red, as if on fire.
"Are you sick?" Wen Lingyi reached out.
Wei Zheng quickly turned away: "No, I won't burn up until the young mistress gives me my status."
These words… why do they sound strange?
Wei Zheng saw a cup of water on the dressing table, picked it up, and gulped it down.
After taking several deep breaths, he turned to face Wen Lingyi: "Alright, the fever has subsided."
Wen Lingyi: "…"
Is this fever a good fever?
She looked at him, feeling her own face grow warm.
Hastily changing the subject: "In a few days, the Qinggong Banquet will be the best opportunity."
Father has already gone to 'have a chat' with various officials. If they don’t want their daughters to be buried with The Old Emperor, they should know what to do.
By then, with a younger, more beautiful version of Consort Jiang, there won’t even be a need to hold any selection for concubines.
Father worries that Chen Wanrou won’t be easy to control, but Wen Lingyi thinks ten steps ahead. By then, it will be Chen Wanrou begging her for advice on how to win The Old Emperor’s heart…
"You truly are the young mistress!!!"
After Wen Lingyi explained her plan in detail, Wei Zheng was practically ready to prostrate himself in admiration.
Look, his young mistress is a true celestial being! Not even a reincarnated Zhuge Liang could compare!
What’s wrong with him being an Outer Chamber?
It’s just that he couldn’t control his feelings. He really shouldn’t have overstepped before the young mistress gave him a proper status.
Wei Zheng tried his best to keep his feverish feelings in check as he discussed the plan with Wen Lingyi.
Before leaving, he lingered reluctantly: "You must think it over soon and give me a proper status, okay?"